As a PC enthusiast, I know firsthand how important it is to choose a suitable CPU cooler for your system. When I built my first PC, I encountered many challenges and struggled to find the best cooler to maintain optimal performance and protect my hardware from overheating.
Through my years of experience, I have learned that factors such as thermal dissipation, noise level, and size are crucial when selecting a suitable CPU cooler for the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X processor. I have researched, tested, and explored various types of coolers, from liquid to air coolers, to find the best fit for my system.
In this article, I will share my insights and experiences to help you make an informed decision. I will discuss the different types of coolers available and the importance of factors such as mounting brackets, lighting, and pricing differences. Additionally, I will provide my Recommended AM4 Coolers for the Ryzen 9 5950X
below, based on my testing and analysis.
Thermal Requirements of the Ryzen 9 5950X CPU
The Thermal Design Power (TDP) rating of a CPU cooler refers to its ability to dissipate heat in watts. It is crucial to select a CPU cooler with a TDP that matches or exceeds the peak TDP of the Ryzen 9 5950X for efficient heat management.
Depending on the workload, the Ryzen 9 5950X has a TDP range of 105–142 watts. Using a cooler that can handle the peak TDP of 142 watts is necessary to maximize your CPU's performance. Since the base TDP isn't an accurate representation of AMD CPU maximum thermal requirements, the peak TDP of the Ryzen 9 5950X can be determined by its PPT limit instead. PPT (Package Power Tracking) is an AMD CPU feature that monitors CPU power consumption and prevents the PPT limit from being exceeded to avoid overheating and undervoltage. The Ryzen 9 5950X's PPT limit is 142 watts, which can be reached at its max boost frequency of 4.9 GHz. At its base frequency of 3.4 GHz, the Ryzen 9 5950X's base TDP is 105 watts.
While testing CPU coolers, I observed the importance of adequate cooling in achieving and maintaining maximum boost frequency. If the CPU cooler fails to maintain an optimal temperature for the CPU, it may cause the CPU to slow down. This is known as CPU throttling. In some cases, the cooler may operate continuously at full speed. Although a CPU cooler that has a lower TDP rating than the CPU, it can still function. However, as I have experienced, the CPU will eventually reduce its frequency to cool down.
Are Stock CPU Coolers Good Enough?
The boxed version of the Ryzen 9 5950X CPU does not come with a CPU cooler, so you'll need to purchase one separately.
Types of Coolers
Air Cooler
Air coolers utilize a combination of heatsinks and fans to dissipate heat. While they are the most budget-friendly option available, I've observed that they can sometimes produce a lot of noise, which may not be ideal for everyone. However, I can say that air coolers have been a reliable option for me over the years, despite that, and remain a popular choice for many PC enthusiasts.
Closed-Loop Cooler
A Closed-Loop Cooler, also known as an all-in-one (AIO) cooler, is a type of liquid cooler. Through testing and analyzing different cooling systems, we have concluded that the AIO coolers are our favorite option when designing a cool and quiet PC setup. I have found that pre-built liquid cooling systems offer a more straightforward setup and can provide better TDP performance at lower noise levels than air coolers. With that said, I have observed that the cooling performance and noise levels greatly depend on the radiator size and the number and size of the fans.
Find AM4 AIO Coolers on Amazon (affiliate link).
CORSAIR iCUE H150i ELITE LCD Liquid CPU Cooler
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Open-Loop Cooler
We have tried open-loop cooler systems and observed that they offer more flexibility for building a customized cooling setup. However, setting them up can be more complicated than closed-loop coolers. Using open-loop coolers also meant dealing with maintenance, such as coolant flushing, which was a downside I experienced.
Despite this, we were able to take advantage of the additional cooling capabilities that these open-loop systems offer, allowing us to cool not just our CPU but also our graphics card's GPU.
Mounting Brackets Compatible With the Ryzen 9 5950X
Ensure that your cooler includes a compatible mounting bracket for your CPU. CPU coolers come with various mounting brackets to accommodate multiple CPU socket sizes. For the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X CPU, you'll need a CPU cooler that supports the AM4 socket.
In cases where a new socket size is released, you can often purchase a separate mounting/
Check out our Recommended AM4 Coolers for the Ryzen 9 5950X below.
Considerations When Choosing a Cooler for the 5950X CPU
Noise
More fans usually result in better cooling but also increased noise. Larger fans are generally quieter than smaller fans since they can move the same amount of air at lower speeds. Fan noise levels are measured in dB, with lower values indicating quieter operation.
Configuring your motherboard's BIOS to use specific fan speeds at particular temperatures allows for a near-silent computer while idle.
Size
Before investing in the largest cooler available, verify that your case and motherboard have enough room. Check for potential interference with other components on your motherboard, such as tall heat spreaders on memory modules (DIMMs).
Dual-fan air coolers often require substantial space on top of the motherboard. Liquid cooler radiators can also take up a lot of space but are mounted to dedicated fan locations on the front, top, sides, or bottom of the case.
CORSAIR iCUE H150i ELITE LCD Liquid CPU Cooler
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Lighting
Some CPU coolers feature LED lighting on fans or liquid cooling pump heads. If you prefer being able to turn off the lights, ensure that your chosen cooler provides this functionality.
Price
Depending on your preferences, you can choose between a practical, low-cost solution and a more visually striking option. Air-based coolers are generally more affordable than liquid cooling systems.
Higher TDP support and advanced lighting features may also come at an additional cost.
Gaming
An air cooler may suffice for a gaming PC if you don't plan to overclock your CPU. However, from my experience and testing, not all CPU air coolers can handle the same amount of heat. Examining coolers' supported heat dissipation (TDP) in watts (e.g., 180 watts) is crucial for choosing which cooler to purchase.
Games and other CPU-intensive tasks can keep the Ryzen 9 5950X CPU at the higher end of its PPT limit (142 watts). From my experience, it's best to opt for a larger air-cooled heatsink with one to two fans or even consider a liquid cooler, which I've found to be generally quieter than air coolers and offer better cooling performance.
Overclocking
We've learned from our own experiences that if you plan to overclock your CPU, your success will depend on how effectively you can maintain adequate cooling. As we have learned, inadequate cooling can cause the CPU to throttle itself to a lower speed or even damage it. However, it can also result in system instability while gaming or working. System instability has led to frustrating instances where we've lost progress and encountered interruptions during gaming sessions.
You may achieve some level of overclocking with a good air cooler. However, if the cooler is struggling to keep the CPU cool enough, your fans will remain at their maximum speed, which could be a little noisy.
Liquid cooling can generally achieve better TDP levels compared to air cooling. Additionally, liquid cooling allows for a quieter system, depending on the radiator size, fan size, and the number of fans used.
Recommended AM4 Coolers for the Ryzen 9 5950X
Best AM4 All-in-One Liquid Coolers
CORSAIR iCUE H150i ELITE LCD
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Check the latest price of the CORSAIR iCUE H150i ELITE LCD on Amazon (affiliate link).
This cooler is designed to fit Intel and AMD sockets, including the following models: Intel LGA 1700, 1200, 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1366, 2011, 2066 and AMD AM5, AM4, sTRX4, sTR4 (Intel LGA 1700 is supported with CW-8960091 or CW-8960093 kits).
350-watt TDP (Thermal Design Power).
It provides powerful low-noise cooling and RGB lighting with a customizable LCD display that can display your CPU temperature or other graphics. As I explored the world of LED displays on CPU coolers, I discovered their captivating appeal. These displays have transformed my systems' visual aesthetics.
It has 120mm CORSAIR ML RGB ELITE magnetic levitation fans for great CPU cooling performance.
Make sure your computer case dimensions support this, as it will take up a decent amount of space!
CORSAIR iCUE H150i ELITE LCD Liquid CPU Cooler Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link
Thermaltake TOUGHLIQUID 360 ARGB Sync
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Check the latest price of the Thermaltake TOUGHLIQUID 360 ARGB Sync on Amazon (affiliate link).
TOUGHLIQUID Series is designed to fit Intel and AMD sockets, including the following models: Intel LGA 1700, 1200, 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1366, 2011, 2011-v3, 2066 and AMD AM5, AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, FM2, FM1.
We estimate that this supports roughly a 250-watt TDP (Thermal Design Power).
This Liquid cooler supports 5V RGB compatible motherboards.
Equipped with a TOUGHFAN 12 2000-RPM fan and supports ARGB lighting on the waterblock. Even without a full LED display, ARGB lighting creates a mesmerizing visual spectacle when I use it in my builds.
Make sure your computer case dimensions support this, as it will take up a decent amount of space. There is a smaller version available, if needed.
Thermaltake TOUGHLIQUID Liquid CPU Cooler Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link
Best AM4 Dual-Fan Air CPU Coolers
Noctua NH-D15 CPU Cooler
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Dual 140 mm fans provide 220-watt TDP (183 NSPR) of cooling capability.
Supports a variety of CPU sockets, including Intel LGA 1700, 1200, 1156, 1155, 1151, 1150, 2011, 2066 and AMD AM4, AM3, AM3+, AM2, AM2+, FM2, FM2+.
Quiet operation at 24.6 dBA.
Noctua NH-D15, Premium CPU Cooler Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link
Thermaltake TOUGHAIR 510
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As someone who isn't a big fan of flashy LED lights, I appreciated the simplicity of the Thermaltake TOUGHAIR 510, which doesn't have any fancy lights but still looks great in my system.
I found that the dual 120 mm fans on the TOUGHAIR 510 did an excellent job of keeping a socket AM4 CPU cool, even under heavy workloads.
Supports a variety of CPU sockets, including Intel LGA 1700, 1200, 1156, 1155, 1151, 1150 and AMD AM4, AM3, AM3+, AM2, AM2+, FM2, FM1.
If you're worried about the TOUGHAIR 510 taking up too much space in your system, Thermaltake offers a few single-fan variants that use different orientations, so you can choose the one that works best for your setup.
With a max speed of 2000 RPM, the TOUGHAIR 510 provides optimal cooling performance when you need it most.
With a 180-watt TDP (Thermal Design Power), the TOUGHAIR 510 offers solid cooling performance and is a great choice for anyone looking for a reliable and efficient cooling solution for their CPU.
Thermaltake TOUGHAIR 510 Check Price on Amazon Amazon Affiliate Link
Learn More About the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
- Motherboard: Choosing the Best Motherboard for AMD's Ryzen 9 5950X
- Chipset: Which Chipsets Work With AMD's Ryzen 9 5950X CPU?
- Cooler: Choosing the Best CPU Cooler for AMD's Ryzen 9 5950X
- Power Supply: Choosing the Best Power Supply for AMD's Ryzen 9 5950X CPU
- RAM: Best RAM for the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X CPU
- TDP: What Is the TDP of the Ryzen 9 5950X CPU?
- Gaming: Is the Ryzen 9 5950X CPU Good for Gaming?
Other Considerations When Building a PC
Want to brush up on other new technologies to consider when building a computer? Check out these articles:
- Cases:
- CPUs:
- The Best CPUs for Gaming
- Which Intel and AMD CPUs Support PCIe 5.0?
- Which Intel and AMD CPUs Support PCIe 4.0?
- LGA 1700 CPU List
- LGA 1200 CPU List
- Look up an Intel or AMD CPU on TechReviewer for related recommendations:
- The Best CPUs for Gaming
- CPU Coolers:
- Storage:
- Memory:
- PCI-Express:
- Motherboards:
- Graphics Cards:
- Power Supplies:
- Keyboards:
- Monitors:
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